FAIRHOPE, Alabama – The rain held off on Monday night for the Order of Mystic Magnolias Mardi Gras parade in Fairhope, with only one small, very short cloudburst as the floats moved down Section Street.

The mystic society’s theme for its 20th anniversary parade was “Razzle Dazzle: The Roaring Twenties.” Floats paid tribute to gangsters, bathtub gin, the New York Yankees, flappers and moving pictures.

“I love it. I am 68 years old and I feel like I’m 8,” said Carol Olson of Fairhope, who was awash in beads after the procession. She was attending with her husband, David, and their friends, Bob and Sheryl Nassi, who were visiting from Rochester, Minn.

Marching bands from Fairhope and Spanish Fort High Schools took part, along with the flag corps from Daphne High School and the Foley High Steel Drum Band.

Best float: So many great ones to choose from, but one of the most eye-catching was “Take Me Out to the Ball game,” with a giant baseball player and Yankees ticket out front. Second place: “The Cat’s Meow,” with a lot of sparkle and sass.

Stingy or generous? The parade was very slow-paced, so the OOMMs could have been excused for hoarding their throws – but they held nothing back.

Best throw: The soft, 3-foot staff topped with a cloth fleur-de-lisle handle. It looked like it would be great for a little fella to use in a very safe sword fight.